5.0 supercharged into an LR4?

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Jimmy Brooks

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Also one other random question, in theory if someone were to supercharged the LR4 using the N/A heads, valves, and pistons what would be the outcome? Would you be able to still use the stock fuel mapping and ecu from the RRS Sc and would it make a difference in power? Would it work at all? Would reliability and fear of spinning a rod be an issue? Just wondering.
 

gsxr

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Also one other random question, in theory if someone were to supercharged the LR4 using the N/A heads, valves, and pistons what would be the outcome? Would you be able to still use the stock fuel mapping and ecu from the RRS Sc and would it make a difference in power? Would it work at all? Would reliability and fear of spinning a rod be an issue? Just wondering.
Depends on what components were different between SC and non-SC versions of the engine. If the SC version has all the same bottom end, it might be doable. If a bunch of parts or castings were upgraded, then it would probably be a bad idea to add the supercharger to the non-SC engine...

:stickyman
 

Tapps33

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Me too!! Lol! No, the engine is still sitting at the machine shop. And now the machinist is at a classic car tour for the next couple of weeks. He promises it’ll be finished before I move back to Memphis on July 2nd. Fingers crossed!
 

Tapps33

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The compression ration for the NA engine is much higher, so when you start putting boost to it you run the risk of pre-detonation even with the SC computer. The blocks are different because the SC engine has oil squirrels under the pistons to keep them a little cooler. I imagine if you tried to make the swap you’d run into a lot of issues with parts failing prematurely because they were designed for the extra stress/heat.

….but then again, any thing is possible!
 

Tapps33

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I do love autocorrect sometimes. We knew what you typed.
That’s what happens when I just type…and don’t proof read….

While oil squirrels I’m under the pistons seems like a better description, oil squirters is what’s actually there! :cool:
 

Tapps33

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FYI….it’s still at the machine shop. :rolleyes:

Maybe this week if I’m lucky.

Anyone know of any way to strengthen the block? I’m thinking I may hit up Darton and see if they make a cylinder sleeve, or can make a cylinder sleeve for our blocks. While creating a semi-closed deck block would make the engines significantly stronger, at the very least, it would help save others from having to trash their engines if they run into issues.

That said, I haven’t found anything about strengthening the block except one or two builders who say they, “have a secret technique for reinforcing the block” but oddly they’re never willing to share what they do. Which leads me to believe it’s a sales gimmick.
 

gsxr

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Make sure builders are not "reinforcing the block” by filling the cooling jacket with solid material, which is common for drag racing applications, but a bad idea for the street. If they won't explain what they are doing, run away.
 

Tapps33

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Make sure builders are not "reinforcing the block” by filling the cooling jacket with solid material, which is common for drag racing applications, but a bad idea for the street. If they won't explain what they are doing, run away.
I agree 100%!! The only thing I can think of is they may be "bracing" the cylinders. (See link for better pictures/explanation)


I keep going back and forth as to how crazy to try and build this engine. The truth of the matter is that it'll probably never see over 650HP, and as such, the existing open deck design should be fine....I just tend to over build things. My motto is always, build it right from the ground up, then no matter what you do to it, it'll be more than strong enough.
 

Tapps33

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It's official....I finally got my engine back from the machine shop. I'm going to put the majority of it back together next week....you know, right before I move from Maine to TN.

I'll try and do an in-depth write up about the tear down and rebuild process, which ARP hardware I finally found that works and what not. I'm also going to do a trans rebuild in the next couple of weeks as mine is getting ready to quit....mainly because the trans cooler line ruptured and I ran it dry....which evidently it didn't like. Plus my torque converter is showing classic signs of issues in that just driving down the highway my RPM jumps up and down about 100 or so. The good news is that once I have the body off the frame, I'll just lift the old engine/trans out and put the new one in...then swap the Mechatronic/TCU over...and (hopefully) program the new SC ECU in and we're up and driving. That said, I'm planning some other upgrades while I'm in there as well, like a new performance exhaust, and a big brake kit.

All in all, I think it's gonna be another couple of months as I have to build a lifted deck to use as a hoist frame to get the body off as the auto hobby shop near me doesn't have a frame lift.

Getting closer!!!
 

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